Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

This ranks right up there with the story this week about the guy who was going to get the rattlesnake out of the road before someone ran over it and died before his wife could get him to the hospital. Happened on his birthday too.

Cheryl – it bit him twice! Once on the right hand and again on his left hand as he tried to move it off the road. The ironic thing was that he apparently had “lots” of experience with rattlesnakes! Crazy stuff!!!

I just had breakfast and the first image I see is the low life godless scum sucking hellbound demons … 😡

Prvbs 6:16-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
16 There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination [a]to Him:
17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
19 A false witness who utters lies,
And one who [b]spreads strife among brothers.

Ephesians 6:12-13New King James Version (NKJV)
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Romans 1:18-32New King James Version (NKJV)
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[a] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[b] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Israel’s Taunt
14 When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel, and settle them in their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob. 2 The peoples will take them along and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them as an inheritance in the land of the Lord as male servants and female servants; and [a]they will take their captors captive and will rule over their oppressors.

3 And it will be in the day when the Lord gives you rest from your pain and turmoil and harsh service in which you have been enslaved, 4 that you will take up this [b]taunt against the king of Babylon, and say,

“How the oppressor has ceased,
And how [c]fury has ceased!
5 “The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked,
The scepter of rulers
6 Which used to strike the peoples in fury with unceasing strokes,
Which [d]subdued the nations in anger with unrestrained persecution.
7 “The whole earth is at rest and is quiet;
They break forth into shouts of joy.
8 “Even the cypress trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying,
‘Since you were laid low, no tree cutter comes up against us.’

9 “Sheol from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come;
It arouses for you the [e]spirits of the dead, all the [f]leaders of the earth;
It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.
10 “They will all respond and say to you,
‘Even you have been made weak as we,
You have become like us.
11 ‘Your pomp and the music of your harps
Have been brought down to Sheol;
Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you
And worms are your covering.’

12 “How you have fallen from heaven,
O [g]star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who have weakened the nations!

13 “But you said in your heart,
‘I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.’

15 “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol,
To the recesses of the pit.
16 “Those who see you will gaze at you,
They will [h]ponder over you, saying,
‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world like a wilderness
And overthrew its cities,
Who did not [i]allow his prisoners to go home?’
18 “All the kings of the nations lie in glory,
Each in his own [j]tomb.
19 “But you have been cast out of your tomb
Like [k]a rejected branch,
[l]Clothed with the slain who are pierced with a sword,
Who go down to the stones of the pit
Like a trampled corpse.
20 “You will not be united with them in burial,
Because you have ruined your country,
You have slain your people.
May the offspring of evildoers not be mentioned forever.

21 “Prepare for his sons a place of slaughter
Because of the iniquity of their fathers.
They must not arise and take possession of the earth
And fill the face of the world with cities.”
22 “I will rise up against them,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and survivors, offspring and posterity,” declares the Lord. 23 “I will also make it a possession for the hedgehog and swamps of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of hosts.

Well, my original article for today has bin binned 3x over the past ~8 hours, so I will try this one:

The Spirit Of Truth
“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

How blessed to know that the Author of the blessed Book which has changed so many hearts and lives and homes is “the Spirit of truth.”

The Spirit did not, of course, reveal all truth at one time. “The Law was given by Moses;” later the prophesies were penned by men of God as they were “moved by the Holy Spirit” and still later our Lord uttered truth “kept secret since the world began.”

But even our blessed Lord, while on earth, did not lead His followers into all the truth which God would have His people know. “I have yet many things to say unto you,” He said, “but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16: 12,13).

But when the Spirit came at Pentecost, did He immediately lead the disciples into all truth? Not yet. They still proclaimed the prophetic program, the message which our Lord had taught them and committed to them (Luke 24: 45; Acts 1:2,3).

It was not until some time later that the glorified Lord revealed “God’s purpose and grace” to and through the Apostle Paul, and the Spirit in turn caused others to understand it (Gal.2:2,7,9; Eph.3:1-5; IITim.1:9).

The glorious message revealed to Paul is the capstone of divine revelation, thus he says that it was given to him to “fulfil [complete] the Word of God” (Col.1:25).

St. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than any other writer and in them we have the fulness of divine truth as God would now have us know and understand it!

It’s nice (and doesn’t always happen that way) that police personnel were specific in acknowledging their thanks to the man for his instinctive actions.

I understand the logic of the usual lines (“we do not recommend that individual citizens take this upon themselves, blah blah blah”) – yes, I do. But their liability-cautionary press releases completely ignore the business of community – human beings governing themselves – and stopping those who refuse to govern themselves.

I agree with all you said. But, I have to admit my second thought, the first was “yayyyy”, was that if the bad guy had dropped his gun and it accidentally went off and shot some bystander, the good samaritan would probably get sued. 🙄

Good Samaritan Law protects people ( from being sued) who are rendering assistance, I believe. Someone correct if wrong. Started when medical people stopped offering assistance in accidents or other medical emergencies because of liability.

I think that’s pretty much true, at least in most cases. But there’s some kind of exception for medical personnel once they DO get involved. I think the rule is that once they’re helping someone, they must continue to give assistance until someone else arrives to take over. I think the logic being that someone else might see the injured person already is being treated, and think, “Well, I was gonna stop, but I can see things are already under control.”

I’m sure when he first hit the ground, the guy was probably angry at the man who tripped him, probably thinking, “I would have got away!” But more likely just the opposite: More likely it was only a matter of time before the suspect turned, even slightly, toward the cops and then boom, boom, boom. So yeah, there’s a real good chance the older guy actually SAVED this thug’s life.

On the late news last night a local station ran a piece showing that the situation in New Orleans from the time Mayor Mitch Landrieu too office in 2010 thru his leaving on Monday hasn’t been all that great.
He won on the strength of the black vote, they largely voted for him as his daddy was a city mayor who basically block-busted the city, breaking down many doors that had prevented the black politicians from being as l\arge and successful a band of blatant thieves as the white ones long had been…and to a large extent still are. He promised fundamental changes that would benefit the black community, bringing the era of two chickens (mild or spicey) in every pot.
Welllllll, last night a local station did a piece that showed since Hizzhonah took office things have picked up – median family incomes and employment have increase…for everyone excwpt NOLA’s black residents. Unfortunately for them things have become worse.
I wanted to post the link to the story but when I went to their site this AM there was nothing there. Confused that a story with such of an important impact on the legacy of a progressive Democratic mayor who’s being touted as a possible presidential candate had not been posted I called the station to ask where it was. “Sorry, it’s not on our site”, I was told. “But it was so clear and concise in defining the mayor’s legacy”,l replied. “Sorry, it’s not on our site”, I was told. “But…”, I started nd again told: “SORRY, IT’S NOT ON OUR SITE!”… I can take a hint.
Black unemployment is far, far worse than white unemployment in the city, especially with all of the new jobs that were created. Hmmmmm…a quick check of a report on black unemployment put out by the city shows that a survey of the unemployed black male population shows only 51% have a high school diploma, 57% have a criminal record and 73% use drungs recreationally. When you rub those stats up against the still-poor NOLA public school system (though there are fewer school shootings and school administrators going to jail – an improvement) and the fact that there’s been an explosion of jobs requiring more than a high school education the problem starts to jell. There’s also been a slower growth in the ‘hospitality’ industry (bottom of the barrel jobs) that blacks have traditionally been vectored into – even by the black Rat pols.
One interesting side was that things have skyrocketed for ‘disadvantaged’ businesses, their use by the city is way up. Ignoring the donations traditionally given to benevolent pols by favored contractors one wondewrs…..though one also wonders why, if things are up for minority-owned businesses, things are down for the minorities that one would think they’d employ?
Anyway, if Mitch gets nominated in 2020 we’ve got a beer bet going on how long it will take for the local reporter who put this piece on his legacy to have an accident.

Not all, there are still some up but not of the stature of those he politically co-opted. BTW, total number of police has dropped a lot sionce he came in while violent crimes are up across the board – also, under Mitch, folks have gone to measuring police response time with a calendar.
As for the FD, the city screwed them for decades, broke their employment contracts andf violated numerous state and Federal laws related to work times. FD went to state courts – city lost and was toled to pay millions in back pay and pension funds…city refused. City appealed and lost. FD went to Federal court and again city lost and was ordered to pay – city appealed and lost a couple of times. City refused to pay Fed judgement and state constitution forbids seizing public property sooooo…impasse.
Courts threatened to put Mitch in jail over the weekends as he violated the ‘pay up’ order but that never happened. FD finally caved and settled for pennies on the dollar only for Mitch and crew to find millions under the couch cushions weeks later.

We’ll Have To Call You LOSER In A Song
(With apologies to Jim Croce)
________________________________________

Well, we know it might be hate
We know you weren’t elected
Have you run out of ex-cuses to make?
You thought we’d understand
All the time you tried to tell us
The Rus-sians did you wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Hey, you know you sound deranged
You planned it different didn’t ya?
But then Trump got all up in the way
Ruined your crook-ed plans
A land-slide they tried to sell us
But the poll-sters got it wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Even though the count was right
You claimed the vo-ters got it wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Yeah, we hate to throw you shade
Although you’re well de-serving
Your conspiracy and pay for play
Had got-ten out of hand
Even though you cried collusion
The truth just proved you wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

We’ll Have To Call You LOSER In A Song
(With apologies to Jim Croce)
________________________________________

Well, we know it might be hate
We know you weren’t elected
Have you run out of ex-cuses to make?
You thought we’d understand
All the time you tried to tell us
The Rus-sians did you wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Hey, you know you sound deranged
You planned it different didn’t ya?
But then Trump got all up in the way
Ruined your crook-ed plans
A land-slide they tried to sell us
But the poll-sters got it wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Even though the count was right
You claimed the vo-ters got it wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

Yeah, we hate to throw you shade
Although you’re well de-serving
Your conspiracy and pay for play
Had got-ten out of hand
Even though you cried collusion
The truth just proved you wrong
So we’ll have to call you LOSER in a song

so I hung out my humming bird feeders this afternoon and within SECONDS 2 hummers landed and started feeding!
we have one we call the Little General cuz he sits on the deck railings and watches over the four feeders–
later in the summer there will be kamikazi-like fights and hummers everywhere!

Slow year this year, only one feeder out and only two moderately interested feeders. Looks like with the early spring the numbers of bugs in the trees they’re not in as much of a need of free lunch as they were last year. We’ll see what the patio looks like come fall migration.

Folks, just got back in…
Spending the day with “Fishing with Special Friends”..
@BigMammaTea….
THANK YOU AGAIN for the shoes!
What a “Life Saver” for My feet!
I have lots of Photos & Video to do through & Edit, (customize)…
Though Here is a piece of Video for you..
This is about 1/2 of the Folks in attendance,,
ENJOY..

It was a absolutely Gorgeous Day for a event like this.. On the pier at Wrightsville Beach, N.C. …
Johnny Mercers Pier to be exact.. Winds were light out of the ESE.. Water looked like something from the Caribbean Sea(s)… Pretty Blue-Green..

Air Temp was just right,, in the mid-70’s…
Not to Hot, Nor to cool..

AND the Fish were BITING!

The “WINNING”, I mean Largest fish, was a Pompano, a AWESOME great eating fish…
Ones like this size usually are NOT caught until Late summer/ or in the Fall…
Dern nearly Weighed in at 2 pounds..

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A minor G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress on May 5th as Earth enters a stream of fast-moving solar wind. The gaseous material is flowing from a wide hole in the sun’s atmosphere. It is, in fact, so wide that Earth could be inside the stream for days to come. NOAA forecasters estimate a 55% chance of continued storms on May 6th and 7th. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates.

WEST COAST ROCKET BLASTS OFF FOR MARS: This morning, for the first time, NASA launched a rocket to Mars from the US west coast. Carrying the InSight Mars lander, an Atlas 5 rocket blasted off from the Vandenberg Air Force Base at 4:05 am and headed south, parallel to the coast. Dennis Mammana saw the Atlas 5 climb into the sky more than 300 miles away at the Joshua Tree National Park:

“With a waning gibbous moon illuminating the landscape and sky, the Atlas V appeared first as a cherry red glow on the west-northwestern horizon and continued toward the south as it crossed the Pacific Ocean on its way to Mars,” says Mammana. “The shot is a quick blending of 35 separate exposures; the breaks within the rocket trail occur between exposures.”

Because the launch occurred at the earliest possible moment in the launch window, 4:05 a.m., the rocket’s exhaust had time to completely disperse before morning sunlight hit Earth’s upper atmosphere about an hour later. As a result no noctilucent clouds were observed.

It is after 10pm here but there is still a shimmering dusk. Kinda strange. As much as I have enjoyed this trip, I am looking to get home. But, Copenhagen awaits, and our hotel is supposed to have wifi. There are people I met, and enjoyed, and said goodbye to, but I am a better person for having crossed their paths. That is life in a nutshell, I suppose. Be safe peeps.

I haven’t posted in the Open Thread for awhile, but I can’t figure out a political angle for this where I could put it in the Presidential Thread. 😉 So here ya go… can’t figure out why this cracks me up so much.

(Also, I love the hypocrisy of the league’s and coaches’ reaction, like no big deal if they sometimes nearly kill each other with their over-the-top hits, but don’t you DARE do this! Not quite as bad as boxing’s reaction to biting someone vs literally killing them with punches but… Oh well…)

I know in some ways, Putin isn’t a good guy, and maybe even a “bad” guy. But I still VERY much want him and Trump to get along. (Which, by the way, I believe they DO still have a good relationship in private, despite what we hear for public consumption.)

Yes. I think it is ridiculous for the left to act like there is something wrong with them getting along. I mean, most countries have dictator or dictator type leaders. We have to work with all of them in some way. I get the feeling that Putin will be happy to work with PTrump to clean up our problems here. And, maybe that is what the Clintons, etc. are afraid of.

Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You.

Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.